Advanced Introductions

1. The smattering 2. Extended Metaphors/Epic Smiles/ Analogies 3. Allusions 4. Parallel characters 5. Paradox 6. Quotes from the prompt

All examples are based on the following prompt: In a well-organized essay explain how Lincoln’s purpose is still relevant today (based on the last paragraph of the Second Inaugural Address).

1. THE SMATTERING: “On rare occasions, the writer may ‘flood’ the reader with impressions, bits, pieces, fragments, shards of description, facts, quotes, and notes, and eventually let the reader piece all these together into one unified whole.” (Thomas Fensch, Writing Solutions 61) This technique is a listing of appropriate bits of relevant information about the topic. Intro: “Malice toward none…charity for all…firmness in the right…bind up the nation’s wounds…care for him…cherish a just and lasting peace…”—Lincoln’s words reflect his desire to pull the nation together after the devastating Civil War. But these words have remained relevant though time—from wars to financial crises to disease to natural disasters to terrorism—and remain relevant today.

2. EXTENDED METAPHOR/ EPIC SIMILE/ANALOGY: You learned to use stated metaphors, similes, and analogies in basic introductions; here you will learn to write extended metaphors, similes, and analogies which are stated or implied. This mature type of introduction allows you to create images within your paper. You will be waving a thread through the essay to tie together ideas and to give yourself a stronger voice. A. Think of a character or situation that relates to your topic: 1. SIMILE: Many jobs for teenagers are like enslavement LITERARY SIMILE: Ethan Frome is like a slave 2. METAPHOR: Many jobs for teenagers are enslavement. LITERARY SIMILE: Ethan Frome is a slave to circumstance.

B. Make a list of possible words associated with the character or situation: WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH ENSLAVEMENT: chains, master, imprisonment, bonds, captive, victim, servility, captivity

C. Use these words to subtly throughout the essay as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and possibly adverbs.

D. Save at least one exceptional word for an insightful statement in your conclusion. FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW: A. After reading and understanding the prompt, think of a comparison between a character involved in the prompt and something or someone else. State the comparison as follows: ______is like______Example: In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, General Zaroff is like a hungry lion. B. List traits of the character (General Zaroff): Ruthless No regard for human life Stalking Conniving Predatory C. List the characteristics of the inanimate object, animal, or type of person which has similar traits (the hungry lion): Preying Lurking Trapping Trailing Pouncing D. In the introduction incorporate the image you are trying to project> Example: In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, General Zaroff preys line a hungry lion, ruthlessly stalking Rainsford in the jungle.

In this type of introduction the comparison may be stated or implied. In either case, use the trait words THROUGHOUT THE ESSAY. They you will be creating images which are consistent and memorable. Be sure to use one of the strong image words in your conclusion.

Example: Lincoln is a healer/physician.

Traits of Lincoln: Traits of Healer/Physician: Fair Mending Forgiving Soothing Determined Care-giving Caring Humanitarian Peace-loving One who cures disease/sickness

Intro: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address demonstrates his new role in the nation—as a healer. His attempt to “bind up the nation’s wounds,” places him in the unenviable role of one who must cure the intangible diseases of prejudice and national unrest. Unfortunately, little has changed from his time to ours, for the battle with our “sick” members of society continues today. 3. ALLUSIONS: Allusions are quite effective if carefully used. They enhance understanding by comparing events, characters, or situations to more familiar ones from literature or history. Example: Rainsford must feel as vulnerable as Daniel in the lion’s den. Intro: As Lincoln tries to bring together “a house divided against itself” because he knows it “cannot stand,” so do the leaders of today try to bring together the warring nations of the world because they know that peace must prevail. (Biblical Allusion)

4. PARALLEL CHARACTERS: When using parallels to other characters or people, it is important to be consistent and carry the parallel throughout the paper. Remember, though, if your purpose is to analyze General Zaroff primarily and simply indicate parallels to emphasize character traits. Do not get off target and spend too much time on the parallel. Example: General Zaroff’s disregard for human life equates him with other predators such as Adolph Hitler. Intro: As Lincoln guided a nation through the divisiveness of the Civil War, hoping to find a just and lasting peace, so Atticus Finch led his family and town through times filled with prejudice and malice, striving for that same just and lasting peach. From Lincoln in the 1860’s to Atticus Finch in the 1930’s, we still seek to overcome that prejudice and evil which continue to poison our country.

5. PARADOX: Often a paradox may be easily identified by looking for phrases that seem contradictory but are actually true. This is a difficult device to master, but with practice, can be quite effective. Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) Intro: Justice born of injustice—Lincoln desire for his country, and the same holds true for those who lead America through the twenty-first century. The need for justice in an unjust world, Lincoln’s nineteenth century dilemma, continues today.

6. QUOTES FROM THE PROMT PASSAGE: Read the passage carefully, underlining important words and/or phrases. Pre-write, responding to the prompt. If the passage contains specific words and/or phrases which exemplify the author’s tone, theme, or purpose in an emphatic, perhaps even dramatic way, consider doing the following: incorporate (embed) these quotes into your introduction and possibly into the rest of your essay. This technique requires that you choose very carefully. Use this device only if you truly understand the significance of the selected words. Intro: Lincoln’s wish fro a world “With malice toward none, and with charity for all…” reverberates today in a society still torn by hatred and intolerance, still searching for peace. Will we ever learn history’s lessons?

Note: at times you may combine methods into one introduction as in this last example. Both a quote and a rhetorical question (from standard introductions) are included.